Zakharov on Armenia and the CSTO: "No one holds it by force", but there is no alternative in the South Caucasus. In a briefing on November 5, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova referred to Nikol Pashinyan's statement about Yerevan's "exhaustion of interest" in the CSTO. Moscow made it clear: Armenia is not held by force, but it also does not see a Western alternative to regional security. More details in the review of what was said: "Yervan still has an opportunity to return to full participation in the CSTO. But, in fact, no one intends to forcefully keep partners in the organization." "Armenia has the right to use the procedures established in the treaty and withdraw from the association, while settling existing obligations accordingly." "The prospects for the formation of an alternative security architecture in the South Caucasus are not visible. Western countries, Western blocs, trying in every possible way to insert themselves into the region with their own standards of military development and management, simply cannot and do not intend to ensure its stability. including obvious geographical reasons, and their political goals and objectives are completely opposite. So based on a combination of factors, we can say they won't provide that confidence very much." "I think that Yerevan will have another opportunity to assert its position regarding CSTO membership in the near future during the participation of the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia at the 14th meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council of the Commonwealth of Nations in Moscow on November 9. Actually, I think a lot of things need to be clarified there." In September 2024, Yerevan froze participation in the work of the CSTO, and Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that Armenia would leave the organization when necessary. In October 2026, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Yerevan does not see the possibility of renewing its participation in the CSTO. On November 5, Pashinyan said that Yerevan's interest in the CSTO had "dried up" and also allowed it to leave the EAEU in order to join the EU.

Zakharov on Armenia and the CSTO: "No one holds it by force", but there is no alternative in the South Caucasus. In a briefing on November 5, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova referred to Nikol Pashinyan's statement about Yerevan's "exhaustion of interest" in the CSTO. Moscow made it clear: Armenia is not held by force, but it also does not see a Western alternative to regional security. More details in the review of what was said: "Yervan still has an opportunity to return to full participation in the CSTO. But, in fact, no one intends to forcefully keep partners in the organization." "Armenia has the right to use the procedures established in the treaty and withdraw from the association, while settling existing obligations accordingly." "The prospects for the formation of an alternative security architecture in the South Caucasus are not visible. Western countries, Western blocs, trying in every possible way to insert themselves into the region with their own standards of military development and management, simply cannot and do not intend to ensure its stability. including obvious geographical reasons, and their political goals and objectives are completely opposite. So based on a combination of factors, we can say they won't provide that confidence very much." "I think that Yerevan will have another opportunity to assert its position regarding CSTO membership in the near future during the participation of the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia at the 14th meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council of the Commonwealth of Nations in Moscow on November 9. Actually, I think a lot of things need to be clarified there." In September 2024, Yerevan froze participation in the work of the CSTO, and Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that Armenia would leave the organization when necessary. In October 2026, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Yerevan does not see the possibility of renewing its participation in the CSTO. On November 5, Pashinyan said that Yerevan's interest in the CSTO had "dried up" and also allowed it to leave the EAEU in order to join the EU.